Leica T should appeal to the brand’s faithful

I must be missing whatever wide-eyed wonder it takes to appreciate Leica’s cameras. When presented with the new Leica T interchangeable-lens model, as well as the single block of aluminum from which its Audi-designed, unibody construction springs, I felt nothing. None of the sense of photographic transcendence that the eager company reps kept waiting for me to express. I do wish to thank them publicly for not making me sit through the 45-minute video of a craftsman’s hands polishing the freshly milled block of aluminum (though if you want to test your mettle, you can probably watch it). I was similarly underwhelmed by the APS-C-based camera’s $1,850 body price — and standalone lens prices of $1,750 for an 18-56mm f3.5-5.6 and $1,950 for a 23mm f2, the two T-mount lenses that will launch with the camera.

Leica T blends the new and traditional (pictures)
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Leica’s goal with the T’s design is “a modern interpretation of the classic Leica style” and in that sense it succeeds: It blends the traditional rounded Leica shape with a modern, almost completely touchscreen-based interface. It has a pronounced grip, which Leicas usually don’t have, but the T doesn’t have the traditional textured body, either, and the grip feels a little too slippery. There will be silicone vanity covers (and matching straps) which do increase the grippability.

It does feature some novel, well-thought-out design touches. For instance, the touchscreen interface uses tiles for easy thumb-based operation, and it’s completely customizable — you simply drag the frequently used functions you want to the main screen. Two context-sensitive dials supplement the touchscreen. The straps attach via concealed, plug-in connectors. Leica supplies a special poking tool for ejecting the connector, but you should be able to use a paperclip after you inevitably lose it. The same can’t be said for the tiny connector covers, which pop off, likely into oblivion. There’s no battery door, instead the battery ejects. It will take a big add-on (extra cost) tilting electronic viewfinder (EVF) which, interestingly, has a GPS antenna built in. Leica also plans to offer an adapter for use with Leica M-mount lenses. The camera will also ship with Adobe Lightroom 5.x.

But for all that, there’s quite a bit missing given the price. Leica chose to go with an APS-C-size sensor for valid reasons — to keep the size of the system and lenses down. But the optional EVF isn’t as nice as the less-expensive Fujifilm X-T1’s built-in version. It’s got Wi-Fi but no NFC. Given that it will launch only with an iOS app — according to the company, about two-thirds of its customers are on iOS/OS X — that probably makes sense. The camera offers only electronic image stabilization, which isn’t as effective as optical or sensor shift, and more prone to image artifacts. The built-in flash not only doesn’t tilt back, but it’s underpowered compared to the X-T1’s at GN 4.5/ISO 100 vs. GN 8/ISO 100 (though at least it has one, which Sony’s don’t). And I don’t care how sharp its 18-55mm lens might be, it’s nuts that, for the money, it’s as slow as f3.5-5.6; in contrast, Fujifilm’s competing lens comes in a full stop faster at f2.8-4. Leica has no plans to offer a lens/camera bundle initially, so the buy-in to the system is at least $3,500 unless you already have M-mount lenses and just spring for the adapter. That’s roughly the same as the full-frame Sony A7R with a lens. But we’ll have a better idea about how the performance and photo quality stand up when it ships at the end of May.

Of course, one doesn’t buy Leica based on price comparisons. Or specs, I guess. Nevertheless, here’s how it stacks up: